Sixers GM: Embiid, Saric 'potentially a good thing'

He's not concerned neither player won't be on the court next year.

"The moment Embiid got hurt, I sniffed opportunity and thought we might get him," said Hinkie during a Friday news conference.

With Embiid thinking he'd slip to No. 6 or lower one day before Thursday's NBA Draft, Hinkie selected the raw 7-foot Kansas center at No. 3 less than a week after Embiid underwent surgery for a stress fracture in his right foot that Hinkie expects will sideline him for five to eight months.

Sixers coach Brett Brown, who spoke following the formal news conference, said, "To end up with Embiid and (Croatian Dario) Saric, despite the fact that neither of them will be on the court next year, is a good thing — potentially a great thing for this city."

The Sixers acquired Saric, who was the No. 12 choice by the Magic, the 2017 first-rounder they originally sent to Orlando in the Andrew Bynum trade and a 2015 second-rounder, for Louisiana-Lafayette's Elfrid Payton, who the Sixers took at No. 10. Saric signed to play in Turkey and will be there for a minimum of two years, according to Hinkie.

Having been the assistant GM with the Rockets when 310-pound Chinese center Yao Ming was plagued by foot stress fractures that cut short his career, Hinkie admitted he "unfortunately, has too much knowledge of the navicular bone."

The 250-pound Embiid had two screws inserted into his right navicular bone on June 17. Hinkie insisted the Sixers will focus on what's best for Embiid in the longterm and continue to be patient.

"In the end, we feel good (about the risk)," said Hinkie in his first public remarks since the May 20 draft lottery. "If he can remain healthy, he can be a remarkable player."

As for Embiid's stress fracture in his back that kept him out for Kansas' final month of the season, including the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments, Hinkie said doctors seem to indicate that's not an issue.

Hinkie believes Embiid and Nerlens Noel, the No. 6 pick in 2013 who sat out his entire rookie season after tearing his ACL while at Kentucky, could eventually form a formidable interior duo.

"If they can play together, we will be an absolute menace at the rim," Hinkie said.

Hinkie downplayed all of the talk that he tried to move up from No. 3 to 1 for Embiid's teammate, Andrew Wiggins. The price reportedly would've been No. 3, 10 and perhaps 32.

"We didn't get the least bit close (to it happening)," Hinkie said. "I don't think there was anything that got very serious to move up from three. I think it's quite hard (to do).

"I'll say there were more conversations inbound than outbound with people calling looking for (No. 3 or 10)."

In other news, Hinkie:

• Confirmed veteran guard Jason Richardson picked up his $6.6 million player option for the 2014-15 season and center Byron Mullen had declined his $1.06 million option, making him a free agent;

• Said he expects veteran forward Thaddeus Young to remain a Sixer. "I do. I like everything Thad's about."

Brown also said the Sixers' lack of quality outside shooters "absolutely" concerns him.